Human Disorders

Definition Precocious puberty is the term for puberty that begins much earlier than usual. Puberty is the process in which a child has a growth spurt and develops the sexual physical features of an adult. In the brain, the hypothalamus releases chemicals (hormones) that cause the pituitary gland to release …

Definition Rectal prolapse is when part of your rectum sticks out through your anus (back passage) to form a lump. The rectum is the last part of your bowel. You may notice the rectal prolapse when you’re having a bowel movement. But it can also happen when you cough or …

Overview – Heat stroke Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia or heat-related illness, an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical symptoms including changes in the nervous system function. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two other forms of hyperthermia that are less severe, heat stroke is a true …

Introduction Dry mouth, or xerostomia, refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don’t make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. It is often due to the side effect of certain medications or aging issues or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer. Less …

Definition Koilonychia is a condition where the nails do not develop normally and are very thin and concaved with raised edges. Due to the concavity of the nails, they are also known as “spoon” nails. Other than the concavity, koilonychia also affects the texture, color, shape, and thickness of the …

Definition Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition where an excessive amount of sweat is produced by the sweat glands. The amount of sweat produced is out of proportion to the amount required to cool the body. This does not mean that sweating a lot after running on a hot summer’s day …

Definition Varicose veins are rope-like veins that typically form on the legs. These veins are usually the result of a weak vein valve that is allowing blood to collect in the vein. Varicose veins can very noticeable due to their blue or purple color and their bulging from the skin. …

Definition An eye twitch is an involuntary spasm of the muscles in the eyelid. Blepharospasm is the medical term for eyelid twitching. Eyelid twitching usually occurs every few seconds and lasts for a few minutes. It may come and go over a period of days or weeks. Sometimes the twitching …